Artifact Details

Description

This removable disk pack is used in the IBM 5444 disk drive. There is a beige handle at the top of the pack with a thumb moveable latch. The latch releases a spring to remove the pack from the drive. When the pack is in the drive, it is covered with a removable, white shell case. When the pack is removed from the drive, the same plastic case is inverted and the pack is placed inside. Four strong magnets grip the spincle of plattter to hold the case onto the platter. The case protects the pack and its recording surfaces from the environment. The idea of using the case for the pack both inside and outside the drive was revolutionary at the time. For other disk pack designs the case was often misplaced or lost when the pack was put into a drive.

Inside the pack, there is a single, double sided magnetic platter. Data is stored on both sides of the platter. The platter is formatted with either 100 or 200 tracks per side. The 200 track format has a capacity of 2.46MB per side. Compare this to the 32GB capacity of a SD card used in tablets and cellphones.

To remove the pack from the drive. Move the two clamps built into to drive, one on each side, outward until they do not cover the pack. Next move the sliver thumb slide on the beige handle to the right. This allows the handle to move to the upright, perpendicular position. It also unlocks the pack from the drive mechanism. The pack can be lifted out of the drive by the handle.

Manufacturer

International Business Machines (IBM)

Place Manufactured

U.S.

Identifying Numbers

Model number	5440	Printed in black on the bottom of the disk pack
Serial number	102936	IBM printed on a red and white sticker on the bottom of the cartridge (not the case)

Dimensions

overall: 2 3/8 in x 15 in x 15 in

Credit

SAP Collection, Computer History Museum

Lot Number

X3709.2007

Related Records

102669963

IBM 5424 and IBM 5444 System/3 Multi-function card unit and disk drive unit